Wow. Mudeok is in between two brothers isn't she 😂😂i can't help it. I'm a tvd fan and I like the concept of the story of two brothers and one girl in the middle . Especially since Woo and Wook have the same dynamic duo as Elijah and Klaus / Stefan and Damon.
"My lady, you must stay strong.!"
"You must stay awake!"
"Please stay strong!"
Eight year old Woo peeked inside the room hearing the women encouraging his mother as she contuined to scream in pain.
It was the beginning of one winter night and Woo couldn't sleep especially after his mother had began screaming. He knew his brother was arriving in this world. One part of him was excited to meet his brother the other was upset at him for making their mother endure so much pain.
"Young master?" Maid servant Kim saw him and left the room closing the door behind , "what are you doing here. Didn't I tell you men are not to be allowed."
The eight year old kept numb , "maid servant Kim. Is Eommoni fine?"
"She'll be ok." She reassured him with a warm smile hiding her worry. Madam Dohwa's second pregnancy had taken a toll on her much more than when she was expecting Jang Woo , "where is the master?"
"Abeoji has locked himself in the study." Woo said looking back to the said room . He had noticed his father had been acting strange since a few months ago , precisely during the seven days before his mother's pregnancy has been announced.
"I'm sure he's just busy with work."
Woo didn't say anything. His father was always busy but he always made time for him. Sometimes even take him inside Cheonbugwan itself telling him from time to time that when he retired Woo would automatically get the position.
But the past months since his mother became pregnant , the young boy had noticed his father had grown distant not only with him but his mother as well. It was strange given how much his father adored his mother. He knew his father's coldness had affected his mother making her even sicker during the pregnancy.
The door to the study opened revealing his father who didn't seem to acknowledge him or maid servant Kim.
"Abeoji-." He ran to his father following him outside as the snow poured around around them.
He noticed his father looking up at the night sky observing the stars.
"Abeoji. Why are you outside? My brother is coming."
Jang Gang sighed and looked at his son , "Jang Woo. My son."
Woo was surprised when his father just hugged out of the blue.
"Abeoji?"
"Don't let him out do you."
Now
"If your father was the Gwanju why were you taught by Songrim instead of Cheongbugwan?" That had been on the back of the soul shifter's mind since she met him , "Since Jang Gang was the Gwanju that means you're eligible to carry it on."
Woo sighed used to this question , "I did not feel like following my father's legacy. I prefered carving an identity of mine that is not in his footsteps." He sighed taking some of the luggage she was carrying , "how far is this place."
"Not too far."
"Can you two wait up for me!" Wook shouted behind them only to be ignored as the two contuined with their journey .
The three of them were currently on the trip to Danghyok- Naksu's old home and training ground. Given the duel with the crown prince that Mudeok had landed them in , they had little time to prepare Wook for the match.
The day my father was killed by the four families of Daeho, I followed Jin Mu. I was raised
as if I was cut off from the world
In the deep and dangerous valleys of Danhyanggok. The soul shifter thought to herself .
I do not know if I toughened up to survive or if I survived because I was tough. By the time my past self and my father had been forgotten, I finally returned to the world as Naksu. But Naksu is dead now. I have returned to this place as Mu-deok,
She looked at the Jang brothers , the older calm as the sea but infamous for his volatile temper that matched a storm she was yet to withness and the younger brother who was dazzling as winter snow.
I've returned along with two Masters , one who is the key to pushing the energy within out and restoring my powers and the other an incapable young master
who is also an unmotivated pupil.
Jang Wook's give up attitude was the reason she had to scheme into arranging his duel with the Crown Prince who had been easy to manipulate in the first place.
"how far do we have to go?" Jang Wook complained for the umpenth time since they got off the boat . "This bracelet weighs a ton. Master, your pupil is exhausted. I am done. I am too tired to go any further.".
Mudeok rolled her eyes. He really is unmotivated isn't he ?
"I'm carrying most of the luggage!" She snapped back
"I am your young master, and you are my maid. That is your job."
"So I am your master when you are in need but your maid when you need a servant?"
"Of course."
Woo was really at his limit with how the two were bickering. He turned around hoping to diffuse the situation .
"Jang Wook . That's enough." He chided his brother , "she carrying more luggage than you and So am I. You can't be that exhausted ."
"You're always on her side hyung. " Jang Wook whined , "She's the reason I'm stuck in this duel with the Crown prince now."
"You were sulking and I did not want to dwell on a pupil who is so emotionally weak."
"You are really cold you know that Mudeok. " Wook snapped.
"You think I earned the title the shadow asssassin for nothing ?" She fired back , " ' heads roll where ever I go? ' you think I earned such a title by being emotional."
"Enough!" Jang Woo's voice cut through the forest making the two instantly shut their mouths upon the clouds around them began to darken.
"Hyung. " Jang Wook nervously laughed before folding his hands in a pleading manner , "calm down. We can't afford to get wet. Don't make it rain."
He can actually do that ?
Mudeok stared at the older Jang as the clouds instantly became clear as if they didn't just threaten to rain not too long ago. She wondered what extent the mages powers were.
The three contuined further on with their journey .
"I did not know tere was a place like this right outside the city." Jang Wook spoke up after a long moment of silence.
"This is a place so rugged and remote that even echoes cannot be heard. Hence the name, Danhyanggok."
"We heard the the echoes just fine when Hyung lost it. " Wook rebuffed.
"It was a figure of speech." The former asssassin turned maid rolled her eyes.
"The name is just a bluff."
"You two are just like children." Woo murmured to himself. He should have listened when Mudeok had said he didn't need to come with them . He would have spared himself the headache of their arguments.
"I am hungry."
'Up there is where I used to live. " Mudeok turned to face the little master , "You will eat what I provide for you and sleep where you collapse after a hard day's training."
Woo's nose caught the smell of something delicious in the air. Which was odd , "What is this? "
"Hyung. I smell chicken." He looked at the master/ maid , "
Do they sell chicken here?"
"Who would sell chicken here?" Mudeok retorted before smelling the scent of chicken as well.
The two brothers and the maid / master followed the scent which led them to a cottage where outside food was being prepared. They took a tour inside in which the home was lovely set up.
While Wook went around exploring , Woo turned to Mudeok who seemed very confused , "this place nothing ks I was expecting based on what you said."
The soul shifter shook her head , "These are not mine. Someone else is living here."
Woo looked outside where clothes were left to dry , "the owner is most likely a man. He must have moved in during your absence. " He them smiled , "he must be one excellent home maker because this place is beautiful."
Mudeok didn't say anything. Just who on earth had moved into her old home ? And why here? Not many people knew this place kept the Danju..
Later that night , Woo felt refreshed when he had come out of the bath . Jang Wook was on the table eating some of the fruits .
"Can you tell me why you've been sour since we went to Songrim?" Woo politely inquired not trying to pressure his brother into speaking. But he had noticed how deflated he had being the past few days. Jang Wook had been excited when they went to Songrim for him to show off to Park Jin that he had unsheathed their father's sword.
Granted , his out of control arm had caused him to injure Master Park but his brother still hadn't been this upset. Woo knew there was a reason for his foul mood.
"Hyung. Do you really think I'm father's son?" Wook's voice was low almost inaudible but Woo caught on , "what if ...I really am a result of an affair."
Flash back
"I am going to train in Jeongjingak and become a mage." Jang Wook proudly told Park Jin upon returning to Songrim to show him and everyone else he had unsheathed his father's sword.
"Why? Because that is what your father did? Do you desire to become the next Gwanju of Cheonbugwan?"
"Yes, my lord. And I will be. Woo has expressed more than once he has no interest in leading Cheonbugwan. I will take his place and father's and prove it to all those scumbags who denied that I was his son as well . I will make them speechless."
"You… are not his son." Park Jin's words shattered the young Jang , "You are the result of your mother's love affair. To show our respect to your late mother, we let you into the Jang family. Woo is not aware of this fact , he believes you're indeed his younger brother and not his maternal half brother . Jang Woo is the only son of Jang Gang and the only one who can hold the position of Gwanju after him.
"So we cannot allow you to lead Cheonbugwan after Woo or your father. So stop dreaming of becoming… like your father.Just stay a clueless Young Master
of the Jang family. If you do,
we will continue to take care of you."
Jang Wook couldn't believe his ears. His entire life has always been a lie. He and Wook were not brothers but rather he was always the iligitimate brother as everyone said.
He looked at the man he had so much respect for , " Then… Then who is my real father?"
"How would anyone know whom your late mother… had an affair with?" Was all Park Jin said before leaving him alone
End
"What?" Woo was indeed taken aback by the sudden question his brother was asking of him , "why are you just asking that?"
"Do you really think I'm our father's son and not a result ....of an affair like everyone says." The younger Jang asked.
"I ought to smack you." Woo's face was expressionless.
But he could see that Wook was indeed seriously asking and it occurred to Woo his brother has never done such. He knew the rumors affected him but Jang Wook never asked for his clarity.
He sighed blaming their father for all this. If he never left , no one would be insinuating their mother had done such a thing.
"Our mother was the most desired woman in all of Daeho. But she would never have cheated on our father. I know it. I know you didn't have the chance to know her , but trust my word , she loved him too much to never have an affair."
He may have been young at the time but Woo had seen the love their parents had for each other.
Wook didn't know who to believe , one hand he knew how much Woo respected their late mother's memory and even maidservant Kim advocated his mother's integrity before but on the other, Park Jin's words were still ringing. He knew the leader of Songrim wouldn't have said such for no reason much less to spite him
"Jang Wook. Where is this coming from? Did someone say something."
Wook put up a smile and shook his head , "who doesn't say anything. I was just testing you."
Woo then saw their maid asleep using the luggage as support for her head .
"Look at how tired she seems," Wook exclaimed, "she was so insistent on hurrying here she forgets she has no strength anymore. She is not Naksu "
"You're right there . " The original Mudeok had never been strong so the soul shifter overexerting herself in the body was bound to weaken it.
Wook carried Mudeok bridal style ensuring she didn't awake and gently laid her on the bed.
Wook raised a brow seeing his brother so defensive of the maid. He looked at her seeing she was indeed tired knowing she had the most luggage . He decided to sleep on the floor which was uncomfortable.
Woo smiled as he laid the sheet ,on the ground "I know you're not used to sleeping on the floor."
Woo scoffed , "I'm used to ragging it hyung. I'll have you know I sat in the snowy mountains for three days straight. It's true"
Woo nodded humoring his younger brother before laughing out loudly which in turn caused Wook to laugh as well.
Woo awoke much later that evening. He blinked trying to focus his vision when all of a sudden he saw a man standing above MUDEOK who was still asleep , "MUDEOK!"
Wook immediately woke up upon hearing the shiyrs and saw the additional presence in the room , "Who are you?"
"And who are you two?" The man said
The brothers drew out their swords facing it at the man . "Step away from Mu-deok."
They began ngaging in a fierce fight with the man.
The man easily dodged their moves and sent them both flying out of the house and into the rain.
Wook groaned , "I understand I cannot control my energy in my arm but what's your excuse for being defeated so easily. Ouch."
Woo grunted in pain, "he isn't an ordinary mage." He could see this man was definitely more skilled and experienced than him .
The man stepped out looking at the both of them.
Woo pulled out his sword and used the mud around them create a Tansu spell that sent the mam flying but it barely left a scratch on him. Woo found himself being thrown away by merely a flicker of the man's wrist.
"Hyung!" Jang Wook was about to stand but found the man's cane being aimed at his neck.
"That sword was given to the Cheonbugwan's Gwanju by the king." The man said , "Who are you two ?What are you doing with a girl like her?"
"Hyung! Mudeok!"
Woo looked at the front of the house where Mudeok was just standing.
"Mudeok run!" The brothers were sent flying but that didn't deter them. They got up from the mud and quickly covered her .
The mysterious man stopped in his movements and stared curiously seeing the overflowing yet powerful volatile energy that the older of the two men possessed and that soul shifter's energy was just as powerful and unique.
Mudeok awoke from the dream that she had . Based on the sunlight it was already morning.
Why am I sweating so much? Why did I dream of the real Mudeok just now? First her memories . Now I'm seeing her in my dreams. What could this mean?.
The ex asssassin wondered to herself. She then heard chattering outside and went out to investigate. She found the brothers casually engaged in a conversation with an older man.
"Who is he?"
"The man you saw last night." Jang Wook answered
"The man I saw last night?"
Woo saw the confusion on he face and nodded , "Yes. Do you not remember? What happened last night?"
Mudeok scratched behind her ear. what happened? What are they going on about.
,"I apologize about last night." The stranger said , " I saw someone inside the hut, and you both suddenly wielded your sword at me, so I had no choice."
"Our apologies too. We did barge into your home uninvited ," Woo said with a nod , "I was startled too.
"You are a very good mage ," the mam chuckled , "you put up a good fight especially with that Tansu spell. " He looked at the younger brother,"you did your best."
Wook smiled , "I am not trained enough to control the energy in my arm.But Hyung and I had no intentions of harming you."
Mudeok just stared at the men completely confused by everything happening , *Did you three …fight?"
Woo stared at her it seemed she did not recall any of last night's events , "you really do you not remember anything?"
"No."
Jang Wook scoffed , "wow. You stood right there," he pointed at the front of the hut , "and watched us fight."
The soul shifter was unable to make sense of what was being told to get , "I did?What?"
"I guess you sleepwalk." The owner of the hut smiled , "I will get you medicinal herbs for that.
Brew them and drink the tea."
the asssassin instincts in Mudeok told her to be wary of the Mann, "Are you a herbalist?"
"No, but he is staying here to pick some medicinal herbs that are only found in Danhyanggok." Wook explained.
"Call me Master Lee.There is enough food and space for all of us, so make yourselves at home."
Woo smiled and nodded gratefully , "we appreciate it Master Lee."
"All right, Sapsali." The man known as Master Lee called out his dog silently watching the three individuals he has just met.
The dog barked most likely referring to the maid. Master Lee smiled and petted the Jinyowon relic , "That soul shifter is special. There is a great soul dwelling inside that small body. Not only that," his eyes went to the older Jang brother , "not only does he posssess very powerful energy " he smiled with fond nostalgia , "he looks just like my Master ,Seo Gyeong himself ."
Honestly I would watch a Alchemy of souls s3 if it was dedicated to the love story between Jin Seol Ran and Seo Gyeong. Their story seemed to have so much potential but it was rarely explored in both seasons.